Technical Standards

All students must meet the minimum technical standards necessary to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies required of an entry-level physician assistant. Candidates offered a seat in the program are required to sign a statement verifying they meet the technical standards. This form can be found on page 96 of the student handbook.

Immunization History

The Gardner-Webb University (GWU) Physician Assistant Program has a pre-matriculation immunization policy that is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization recommendations for health care personnel. Prior to matriculation, all applicants to the GWU PA Program must submit certification of immunizations or proof of immunity by November 15th via www.certifiedbackground.com. Failure to maintain current immunizations may prevent a student from progressing in the program. The estimated cost of verifying immunization or immunity status is $20. Use package code GB55im. The list of required immunizations includes:

Hepatitis B: 3-dose vaccine series being administered on schedule and records of titer validating current immunity. Ideally the titer is done two months after the third vaccine. If the quantitative titer is negative, another three-dose Hepatitis B series should be completed and a quantitative titer in two months.

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): Record of titer validating current immunity or a two-dose vaccine series administered on schedule.

Polio: Documentation of the completed primary series. There must be a record of at least three vaccinations.

Varicella: Record of titer validating current immunity or a two vaccine series administered on schedule. Note: History of previous infection is not sufficient evidence of immunity.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis: Record of having received one dose of Tdap within the last 10 years and Td boosters every 10 years thereafter.

Influenza: Record of having received one dose of the influenza immunization preceding matriculation and provide proof of having received an influenza immunization annually while enrolled in the program.

Tuberculosis skin test (TST) or Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA-TB blood test): Must be completed within the four months preceding the first day of classes. BCG vaccination does not prevent testing. For students who have received the BCG vaccine, an IGRA, either QuantiFERON TB Gold (QFT-G) or T-Spot, is preferred. If TST or IGRA is positive, or if you have a history of previous positive TB testing, a negative chest x-ray is required within the four months preceding the first day of classes. If you are allergic to TB testing, you must have a chest x-ray. If a student has recently received a live virus vaccine, TB testing should be delayed for four weeks.

Annual re-testing is required and must be the two- step TB test (unless contraindicated by a previous severe reaction) to meet clinical year requirements. Prior to start of clinical rotations, students must have documentation of completion of a two-step TB test. Students must maintain up-to-date annual two-step TB testing throughout their clinical year. If your recent TB testing is positive, you must have documentation of a negative chest x-ray.

After a positive PPD or IGRA test result and subsequent chest x-ray, students must be evaluated by the Health Department. If the chest x-ray is positive, the applicant/student will not be allowed to enter or continue training until treated and cleared by an infectious disease specialist.

It is recommended that students enrolled in the PA Program consider the following additional vaccines: Meningococcal and Hepatitis A.

Health Insurance

Students are required to maintain personal health insurance during enrollment in GWU’s Physician Assistant Program. Proof of insurance coverage must be provided prior to matriculation. Students are responsible for all personal health care costs incurred enrolled in the PA program. These costs may include but are not limited to: immunization, illness, PPD testing, health evaluation post exposure to a communicable disease, or other accidental injuries sustained during program mandated training activities.

Certified Background Check and Drug Screen

Prior to matriculation, all PA students are required to have a certified background check through CertifiedBackground.com. Admittance to the Program is contingent upon a successful background check. A background check revealing information that would prohibit a student from participating in clinical rotations or prevent licensure will make him ineligible for the program. In addition, this evaluation includes a ten panel drug screen which must be negative to matriculate into the program. The estimated cost for the background check and drug screen is $102. Use package code GB55

Immunizations, TB, Background, and Drug Screen Release

Each supervised clinical practice experiences site requires a copy of the student’s immunization history, tuberculosis screening results, background check, and drug screen. In order to facilitate provision of this information, the Physician Assistant Program requires admitted applicants to provide a release that authorizes the program to:

Maintain a copy of this information in their program student record, and

Release copies of this information to the clinical sites to which students are assigned for training

Other Requirements

Official transcripts of all course work including any courses that may have been completed since their program application was submitted

Evidence of compliance with any other conditions noted in the applicant’s conditional letter of acceptance